Association of IL-6 -176G > C Polymorphism with Susceptibility to Preeclampsia: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis

Abstract

Background: Many studies have described the influence of -176G > C polymorphism of the IL-6 gene on susceptibility to preeclampsia. However, the results have remained inconclusive and controversial. Therefore, we performed a meta-analysis to more precisely determine the association between the IL-6 -176G > C polymorphism and preeclampsia risk. Methods: Electronic databases including PubMed, Embase, Web of Science, and CNKI were searched up to August 15, 2019. The pooled odds ratios (ORs) and their corresponding 95% confidence intervals (CIs) were used to calculate the association. Results: A total of 12 studies with 1,821 preeclampsia cases and 3,339 controls were selected. Overall, no significant association was found between IL-6 -176G > C polymorphism and preeclampsia risk. In the stratified analyses by ethnicity, there was a significant association in Asians, but not in Caucasians and mixed populations. Conclusions: The results of meta-analysis indicated that IL-6 -176G > C polymorphism was not significantly associated with risk of preeclampsia in overall population.

Keywords: Preeclampsia; association; interleukin 6; meta-analysis; polymorphism.